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HOW MANY TIMES CAN WE SEE IN THE NEW YEAR? In Russia, Austria, Scotland, Italy, Japan, the USA, and Finland, people mark New Year on the night of December 31 st. In Russia, Austria, Scotland, Italy, Japan, the USA, and Finland, people mark New Year on the night of December 31 st. In Greece, people celebrate St Basil's Day, their New Year, on January 14 th. In Greece, people celebrate St Basil's Day, their New Year, on January 14 th. In China, Vietnam, Mongolia celebrate the New Year between January 21 st and the end of February. In China, Vietnam, Mongolia celebrate the New Year between January 21 st and the end of February. The Muslims in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan mark the holiday in march. The Muslims in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan mark the holiday in march. It is celebrated on march 22d in India. It is celebrated on march 22d in India. On April 13 th the New Year is celebrated in Sri Lanka and Nepal. On April 13 th the New Year is celebrated in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

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NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WOLRD The Chinese New Year takes place between 21 January and 20 February. For many families it is a time for feasting and visiting friends and relatives. The Chinese New Year takes place between 21 January and 20 February. For many families it is a time for feasting and visiting friends and relatives. In Australia they celebrate New Year on 1 st January. This day is a public holiday. In Australia they celebrate New Year on 1 st January. This day is a public holiday. In Greece 1 st January is New Year Day. In Greece 1 st January is New Year Day. In Poland New Year's Eve is known as St Sylvester Eve. In Poland New Year's Eve is known as St Sylvester Eve.

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THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS The Christmas story comes from the Bible. It tells a beautiful story of shepherds who were watching their sheep when an angel appeared to them. He told them that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The Christmas story comes from the Bible. It tells a beautiful story of shepherds who were watching their sheep when an angel appeared to them. He told them that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.

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Why do we decorate the Christmas tree? Many of our Christmas customs began long before Jesus was born. The people of ancient Rome worshipped the sun, and they honored Saturn as the god of all growing things. His special was held in mid winter, when the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen branches to remind Saturn to send crops and plants for food the following spring. Many of our Christmas customs began long before Jesus was born. The people of ancient Rome worshipped the sun, and they honored Saturn as the god of all growing things. His special was held in mid winter, when the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen branches to remind Saturn to send crops and plants for food the following spring.

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CHRISTMAS 25 DECEMBER It is the most widely celebrated religious holiday in the US. For the past few weeks, Americans have been preparing for Christmas. People buy gifts to give to family members and friends. They filly homes and stores with evergreen trees and bright, colored lights. The go to parties and prepare special Christmas food. Many people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Many Christians go to the church the night before the holiday or on Christmas Day. They celebrate Christmas as a birthday of Jesus Christ. It is the most widely celebrated religious holiday in the US. For the past few weeks, Americans have been preparing for Christmas. People buy gifts to give to family members and friends. They filly homes and stores with evergreen trees and bright, colored lights. The go to parties and prepare special Christmas food. Many people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Many Christians go to the church the night before the holiday or on Christmas Day. They celebrate Christmas as a birthday of Jesus Christ.

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Home and family are in the center of the Christmas holiday. For many people, the most enjoyable tradition is buying a Christmas tree and decorating it with lights and beautiful objects. On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, people gather around the tree to open their presents. Home and family are in the center of the Christmas holiday. For many people, the most enjoyable tradition is buying a Christmas tree and decorating it with lights and beautiful objects. On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, people gather around the tree to open their presents.

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Many other Americans celebrate Christmas as an important, but non – religious, holiday. To all, however, it is a special day of family, food, and exchanging gifts. Christmas is probably the most special day of the year for children. One thing that makes it special is the popular tradition of Santa Claus. Many other Americans celebrate Christmas as an important, but non – religious, holiday. To all, however, it is a special day of family, food, and exchanging gifts. Christmas is probably the most special day of the year for children. One thing that makes it special is the popular tradition of Santa Claus. Young children believe that Santa Claus is a fat, kind, old man in a red suit with white fur. Young children believe that Santa Claus is a fat, kind, old man in a red suit with white fur.

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They believe that – on the night before Christmas – he travels through the air in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters each house from the top by sliding down the hole in the fireplace. He lifts gifts for children under the Christmas tree. They believe that – on the night before Christmas – he travels through the air in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters each house from the top by sliding down the hole in the fireplace. He lifts gifts for children under the Christmas tree.

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TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD In Great Britain probably the most popular tradition which lands on regardless of modern living, is the mince pie. English people have a custom that they make a wish on the 1 st one of the season. In Great Britain probably the most popular tradition which lands on regardless of modern living, is the mince pie. English people have a custom that they make a wish on the 1 st one of the season. In the USA the Christmas table looks much like a Thanksgiving feast of turkey or ham, potatoes and pie. Guests bring English fruit cake or plum pudding as presents to their hosts. In the USA the Christmas table looks much like a Thanksgiving feast of turkey or ham, potatoes and pie. Guests bring English fruit cake or plum pudding as presents to their hosts.

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NEW YEAR 31 DECEMBER Peter the 1 st changed the Russian calendar in He made the 31 st of December, 1699 the last day of the year. The 1 st of January is in the middle of winter. Peter the 1 st changed the Russian calendar in He made the 31 st of December, 1699 the last day of the year. The 1 st of January is in the middle of winter.

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DEEP IN THE WOOD… Deep in the wood a yule was born, Deep in the wood a yule was born, And in the wood grew tall. And in the wood grew tall. In summer, winter and the fall In summer, winter and the fall The greenest tree of all. The greenest tree of all. An old man looks for wood to chop An old man looks for wood to chop And put it in his sleigh. And put it in his sleigh. The pony gallops clip, clop, clop, The pony gallops clip, clop, clop, And takes our yule away. And takes our yule away. The yule tree to our partys come. The yule tree to our partys come. And on this winter night And on this winter night It brings much joy to everyone. It brings much joy to everyone. Oh, what a lovely sight! Oh, what a lovely sight!

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3. Santa Claus comes to each house through … 3. Santa Claus comes to each house through … - the chimney - the chimney - the window - the window - the door - the door

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4. What is not the way most Americans get presents for their family members and friends? 4. What is not the way most Americans get presents for their family members and friends? - buy them in stores - buy them in stores - make presents themselves - make presents themselves - steal them - steal them

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5. Why do most Americans travel for Christmas? 5. Why do most Americans travel for Christmas? - to get home from work - to get home from work - to get together with their families and relatives - to get together with their families and relatives - to get away from their families and friends. - to get away from their families and friends.

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6. Carols are songs about… 6. Carols are songs about… - winter animals - winter animals - Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ - Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ - New Years Day - New Years Day

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Jingle Bells Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Jingle all the way! Oh! What fun it is to ride In one-horse open sleigh! Dashing through the snow In one horse open sleigh Over the fields we go, Laughing all the way. Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight!